Tom Holland said he and Zendaya deliberately act like strangers while filming to keep their characters distinct.

This professional boundary is intended to preserve the on-screen chemistry between the characters of Spider-Man and MJ. By distancing their real-life relationship from their roles, the actors aim to ensure the romantic and emotional tension of the story remains authentic for the audience.

The comments were made during the London premiere of "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" on Wednesday, July 26 [1]. The event featured approximately 200 guests [3].

Holland said the tactic helps maintain the quality of the performances. "We kind of act like strangers on set – it keeps the magic alive and the characters fresh," Holland said [1].

Zendaya said the same, noting the contrast between their personal bond and their professional requirements. "When you're best friends it’s easy, but we still pretend we don’t know each other when we’re filming – that’s part of the fun," Zendaya said [2].

Despite the distance maintained during production, Zendaya said the experience of returning to the franchise was welcoming. "It feels like coming home, yet we keep a professional distance to let the story breathe," she said [2].

The actors have worked together across multiple films in the franchise. This specific approach to their working relationship is designed to prevent their personal familiarity from flattening the dramatic arcs of the characters they portray.

“"We kind of act like strangers on set – it keeps the magic alive and the characters fresh."”

The decision to maintain a professional distance reflects a common acting technique used to avoid 'relationship bleed,' where a real-life bond eliminates the natural friction or discovery required for a fictional romance. For a high-profile franchise like Spider-Man, this ensures that the chemistry seen on screen is a product of the script and character development rather than the actors' existing personal intimacy.